Oppositional Defiant Disorder News

MONDAY, May 21, 2018 – A pregnancy drug that has been banned for decades may increase the risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) generations later, new research suggests. The study found that the grandchildren of women who took a synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (also known as DES), to prevent pregnancy complications between 1938 and 1971 are more likely to have the ...

TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 – American kids are taking fewer prescription medications these days – but certain drugs are being prescribed more than ever, a new government study finds. Researchers found that between 1999 and 2014, the percentage of children and teenagers who'd been given a prescription in the past 30 days dipped – from almost 25 percent, to just under 22 percent. But the trends ...

TUESDAY, March 27, 2018 – Young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have smaller-than-normal brain regions that are crucial in controlling behavior, researchers have found. Along with conducting MRI brain scans, the researchers assessed the thinking skills and behavior of 90 children, ages 4 and 5. The investigators found that those children with ADHD had significantly ...

MONDAY, March 19, 2018 – Young children who sustain a severe head injury may struggle with attention problems as they grow older, researchers say. A new study reports that kids who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury around ages 3 to 7 are three and a half times more likely to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by the time they enter middle school. "Those kids had a risk of ...

-- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tends to make a person more impulsive, inattentive and hyperactive. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests how to help manage ADHD in children: Train parents, teachers and other caregivers in a setting where problem behaviors often occur. Behavior therapy to teach the child new behavior to replace undesirable ...

THURSDAY, Jan. 18, 2018 – Though drugs to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are typically taken by children and young teens, scores of women of childbearing age are now using the medications, a new government report shows. That's important, health experts say, because the exact effects on the fetus of ADHD meds such as Ritalin or Concerta simply aren't known. Between 2003 and ...

THURSDAY, Dec. 14, 2017 – Children whose families regularly eat meals together tend to have better social skills and fitness levels, researchers report. Family meals yield multiple physical and mental health benefits, according to the long-term Canadian study. "The presence of parents during mealtimes likely provides young children with firsthand social interaction, discussions of social issues ...

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, 2017 – If you take Ritalin or Concerta for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and you plan to become pregnant, you might want to talk to your doctor about switching your medication first. A new study found a small increased risk of having a baby with a heart defect if Ritalin/Concerta (methylphenidate) was taken by the mother-to-be. However, taking amphetamines ...

THURSDAY, Nov. 16, 2017 – As challenging as it can be to raise a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research offers biological evidence that calm, positive parenting may help these kids master their own emotions and behaviors. The study was conducted with parents of preschool children with the developmental disorder. The physiological effects of using compliments and ...

MONDAY, Oct. 30, 2017 – Acetaminophen is considered the go-to pain medication during pregnancy. But a new study adds to evidence linking the drug to an increased risk of behavioral issues in kids. Researchers in Norway found that among nearly 113,000 children, those whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity ...

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2017 – American teens underestimate their use of amphetamines, likely because many don't know that the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Adderall is an amphetamine, a new study suggests. High school and college students sometimes use Adderall, a type of stimulant medication, without a doctor's order because they believe it will boost their mental function ...

MONDAY, Sept. 18, 2017 – Many parents don't believe schools are prepared to help students with mental health problems and serious physical health issues, a new survey finds. While 77 percent of parents were certain that schools would be able to provide first aid for minor issues such as cuts, they were less confident that schools could respond to more challenging health situations. For example, ...

MONDAY, Sept. 4, 2017 – The start of a new school year isn't always easy, especially for kids with developmental and behavioral issues, such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Parents of these children may also have concerns about what lies ahead for their youngsters. But keeping a positive outlook is important for a smooth transition, according to Dr. Anson Koshy. "Starting ...

MONDAY, July 24, 2017 – Teens and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may have a lower risk of developing an alcohol or drug problem if they take medications to treat their ADHD, a new study suggests. "This study contributes to growing evidence that ADHD medication is linked to lower risk for many types of harmful behavior, including substance abuse," said study leader Patrick ...

MONDAY, June 12, 2017 – As if parents don't worry enough when their teens drive the family car, new research shows that adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are even more likely than their peers to have an accident. On a positive note, the higher risk was actually much lower than previously reported in earlier, small studies, the investigators added. "We found that ...